Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy
Definition of Safeguarding
Safeguarding can be defined as the process of protecting children and young people from maltreatment, preventing the impairment of their health or development, and ensuring they grow up in safe and effective care.
Commitment to Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone involved in the care of children and young people. All children and young people have the right to be protected from harm and abuse. I am committed to promoting the welfare of the young people who choose to access my counselling service. I recognise my professional and ethical responsibility to take appropriate action when there is a concern arising regarding a child or young persons safety.
Equality and Diversity Statement
It is important to recognise the individual needs and contexts of every young person. In making safeguarding decisions, I aim to take account of each young person’s circumstances, communication needs, age, disability, culture and level of understanding.
I recognise that some young people may face barriers to disclosing abuse or accessing counselling and aim to respond sensitively to disclosures and to consider reasonable adjustments or specialist support where necessary. I will always do my best to uphold the individual choice of every client and treat each person with dignity they deserve. Please refer to my equality and diversity statement for further information
Purpose of this policy
This policy aims to explain how a safeguarding concern might be recognised, responded to and recorded. It will also explain when information may be shared with caregivers, or statutory authorities.
This policy includes information on the limits of confidentiality in this private practice setting and how safeguarding responsibilities are managed in this setting.
Who this Policy Applies to
This policy applies to children and young people accessing this counselling practice between the ages of 12 to 18.
Where appropriate, parents and carers.
All counselling services offered by this practice including in person and online counselling.
Legal and Ethical Framework
This practice adheres to all current relevant legislation under English law and operates within the BACP ethical framework. This includes the following:
Legislation
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.
- Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004.
- Children and Social Work Act 2017.
- Equality Act 2010.
- Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
- Sexual Offences Act 2003, where relevant to child protection and sexual offences.
- Current statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children.
- Current government information-sharing guidance.
This policy will be reviewed in response to relevant changes in legislation, statutory guidance and professional standards.
Ethical Framework
In my practice I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework which offers a code of professional conduct and ethics. This underpins all counselling work with young people in this practice and informs my safeguarding responsibilities. Key principles include:
- Putting clients first by prioritising their safety and wellbeing
- Working to professional standards, including following safeguarding policies and legal duties.
- Being trustworthy and responsible, especially in matters of confidentiality and information sharing.
- Respecting the rights and dignity of all clients, including the right to protection from harm.
- Maintaining integrity, including acting on concerns in a timely and transparent way.
Counsellors are expected to work within these principles and to seek supervision or consultation where ethical dilemmas arise, especially around safeguarding or information sharing. Further information on the BACP ethical framework can be found at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/media/26718/bacp-ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions-2026.pdf
Recognising Abuse and signs of Harm
Safeguarding means keeping children and young people safe from harm.
Under English law, child abuse and harm are categorised into four areas:
- Physical Abuse: inflicting physical harm or failing to protect a child from physical harm
- Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional maltreatment causing adverse effects on development (this can also include witnessing domestic abuse)
- Sexual Abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child into sexual activities regardless of their awareness.
- Neglect: Persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical or psychological needs, impairing health and development.
Alongside these areas are other forms of harm including but not limited to:
- Domestic abuse
- Child sexual exploitation
- Child criminal exploitation
- Online abuse
- Grooming
- Radicalisation
- Self-harm and suicide risk
Safeguarding concerns may arise through but are not limited to:
- Direct Disclosure
- Observed behaviour
- Information from outside sources (for example: parents/carers/school/other caring professionals)
- Risk assessments undertaken as part of counselling
Confidentiality and Limits, Consent
Limits of Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an essential part of the counselling process however; it can never be absolute. In some instances, information may be shared without consent where:
- There is a significant risk of harm to the young person either from themselves or from another.
- Another person is at risk of serious harm
- Where a disclosure is required by law. This includes but is not limited to acts of terrorism, FGM (female genital mutilation) or drug trafficking.
Consent and Parental Responsibility
Before beginning counselling the following steps will be taken:
- I will explain confidentiality and its limits in language appropriate to the young person's age, understanding and communication needs. These limits will also be included in the information provided to the young person and where appropriate their parent or caregiver.
- Where a young person is under the age of 16, there will be an assessment of their competence to understand and consent to the counselling process. This is often referred to as assessing using the Gillick Competence framework.
- I will consider parental responsibility and the appropriate involvement of parents or carers on an individual basis. A parent or care will not automatically be entitled to access confidential counselling information solely because they have parental responsibility.
- Information regarding safeguarding responsibilities will be provided
- Where information needs to be shared for safeguarding reasons, I will consider whether it is appropriate and safe to inform the young person and, where relevant, their parent or carer. This will depend on the circumstances, the young person's competence and understanding, the nature of the concern, and whether informing them could increase risk. Information will be shared with relevant people or agencies where necessary, proportionate and lawful.
Information Sharing
Where there is a need to raise a safeguarding concern, information may be shared with relevant professionals and agencies in service of the wellbeing of the young person.
Information will only be shared when:
- Necessary to protect a child or young person.
- Necessary to protect another person.
- Required by law.
- Required as part of a safeguarding referral.
Information sharing will follow the principle of sharing only what is necessary, relevant and proportionate in line with GDPR and Data Protection legislation.
Safeguarding records will:
- Be factual and objective.
- Record dates and times.
- Include actions taken.
- Include an explanation for decisions taken.
- Be stored securely in accordance with UK GDPR and data protection legislation.
- Safeguarding records will be retained in accordance with legal and professional responsibilities.
Please refer to the practice privacy statement for more information on storage and retention of client information.
Action and Reporting Procedures
If the need arises to raise a safeguarding concern, I will respond in the following way:
- I will take the concern seriously.
- I will listen carefully and remain calm.
- Establish only the information needed to understand the immediate concern.
- I will not promise secrecy or ask leading questions.
- If appropriate and safe to do so I will explain what action may need to be taken. This may not always be possible in all circumstances.
- I will make an accurate written record.
- I will seek advice and guidance through professional supervision or external agencies where appropriate.
- I will contact relevant safeguarding agencies if required.
- I will record the outcome and any follow up required.
Safeguarding Contacts
Where there is the need to raise a safeguarding concern, a referral may be made. The type of referral will depend on the nature of the concern.
- Immediate Danger: 999
- Child protection non-emergency concerns: Children’s Resource Service (Southampton City Council): 02380 833004 (Out of Hours 02380 23344)
- Advice regarding non-emergency concerns: NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
If there is an immediate, significant risk to the life or safety of the child or young person, emergency services will be contacted on 999.
Practice Governance
- I hold an up-to-date enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
- I will maintain accurate, timely, relevant clinical notes which reflect factual up to date information.
- I commit to continuing professional development including safeguarding training and updates to legislation and guidance.
- This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if updates to current legislation and guidance are made.
Support Contacts
Childline: 0800 1111
Police Non-Emergency: 101
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
No Limits (Southampton, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire: 023 8022 4224